Former Mount Maunganui schoolboy Stan Walker was last night crowned Australian Idol at Sydney Opera House.
And members of his Tauranga whanau, including Mary Black, Priscilla Nepia and Kiwi Molly McLeod, were there to celebrate with him.
Australian media reported that about 300 members of Stan's family were at the Sydney Opera
House to watch their boy perform. That included a seven-strong contingent from Tauranga, where Stan was raised at Tamapahore Marae.
Stan, 18, attended Arataki Primary School before his family moved away five years ago, first to Hamilton and then to Queensland.
Kiwi-Bianca McLeod, daughter of Kiwi Molly, said her mum phoned about midnight with the news.
"All you could hear was screaming. They were so hyped-up.
"We were just buzzing. Everyone was just so excited, how were we supposed to go to sleep? Everyone was on-line and on YouTube watching his songs."
Kiwi-Bianca, who travelled to Sydney to watch Stan perform this month, finally got to sleep about 2.30am.
Stan's Kiwi roots were not forgotten - his family burst into an impromptu haka at his feet when he was named Australian Idol.
Stan, who was the favourite, said he felt "blessed" to win.
"I just want to thank God, man. Hey, I want to thank my family for coming and supporting me. My family, they came from New Zealand," he said.
Stan, who worked as a shop assistant before Idol, wins a $200,000 artist's development fund and a recording contract with Sony, with his single, Black Box, to be released soon.
Mary Black, Stan's "auntie", said before leaving for Sydney she was confident Stan would win.
"I think talent-wise, he should win it. Otherwise, if he doesn't win, it's probably because he's a Kiwi. Some vote on popularity and some vote on talent."
Mary, who is best friends with Stan's mother, April, said everyone at Tamapahore marae was thrilled.
"It's really special."
Stan's winning episode will screen in New Zealand on Friday, 8.30pm, on TV2.
